Football Player Becomes Lawyer After Devastating Injury

It’s been 10 years since Penn State’s Adam Taliaferro, in a split second, went from a prized football recruit to wondering if he would ever walk again.

Taliaferro’s recovery was miraculous. Just days after the injury, he moved his toes. Then just before Christmas, Taliaferro took his first steps with the aid of crutches. He continued his rapid progress and on Sept. 1, 2001 – less than one year after his catastrophic injury – Taliaferro led Penn State onto the field for the season opener vs. Miami, walking and then jogging out in his No. 43 jersey.

Having always planned on a career in the NFL, Taliaferro instead discovered a passion for the legal field. After graduating from Penn State in 2005, he earned a law degree from Rutgers in 2008 with the goal of becoming a sports agent. Taliaferro started off in corporate law, but realized his passion lies in personal injury cases due to his personal experience. He now specializes in it for the Philadelphia firm Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss. He also runs the Adam Taliaferro Foundation that provides support for local student-athletes who suffer head or spinal injuries, knowing many others aren’t nearly as lucky as he has been.